Crocheted Twiddle Muff

This pattern was designed for Whigmaleerie Crafts’ charity project, and is offered here free for anyone who wants to crochet twiddle muffs. It came about as I thought the hookers should get to join in too.

Twiddle muffs can be invaluable for dementia patients as the decorations (buttons, beads, zips and ribbons) give them something to do with their hands and can help calm restless impulses.

Instructions are given in British crochet terms.

This muff is crocheted in two layers, which gives extra warmth. Each layer is worked in the round and in a spiral, so please do not join rounds unless instructed to do so. The bobbles are optional; you can work rows of bobbles, individual bobbles, or none at all. In the outer layer I carried along strands of textured yarns - mohair, ribbon, chain and boucle - for some rows, but this is again optional. I have also added instructions for a buttoned tab so that any non-washable embellishments can be removed for washing.

Instructions are given for two different diameters of muff and length can be adjusted by working more of fewer rows.

Note: Please make sure that all materials used are machine-washable, all sewn-on embellishments are securely stitched in place, and all ends are securely woven in. Any ends that are to be left for twiddling should be non-fray.

Materials for basic muff;

Yarn: 
aran

Hook: 
8mm (or size required for tension)

6mm (optional, for button tab)

Tension: 
10 stitches and 9 rows to 4"

Finished dimensions: 
S/M 10.5" long by 7" diameter, laid flat. M/L 10.5" long by 7.5" diameter, laid flat.

Abbreviations:   
ch   - chain

dc   - double crochet

htr - half treble crochet

mb - make bobble

Make bobble (mb): 
[Yarn over hook, hook through stitch, yarn over and pull through 2 loops] 5 times in same stitch, yarn over and pull through all 6 loops on hook, 1 ch to secure (ch does not count as a stitch for next rnd.

Inner/ outer sleeve: (make 2)

With aran yarn and 8mm hook chain 36 (40). Taking care not to twist the chain slip stitch into furthest chain from hook to make a ring.

Rnd 1 (RS): Ch 1 (does not count as first stitch), 1 htr in same ch, 1 htr in each ch to end of rnd, place marker if using, 36 (40) sts.

Rnd 2: 1 htr in each st to end, move marker to denote new end of rnd, 36 (40) sts.

Rnds 3-21: Repeat rnd 2.

Rnd 22: 1 htr in each st until 1 st remains, 1 dc in next st, sl st in next st. 

Fasten off and break yarn leaving a long tail (at least 2 metres) for finishing off.

Bobble round (optional - work as desired)

MB in next st, dc in next st to end of rnd.

*Important: following a bobble round remember that the chain that secures each bobble does not count as a stitch and should be skipped over on the next round.

Decorate inner and outer sleeve

Embellish each sleeve as desired with buttons, zips, beads and ribbons. If you want to add non-washable decorations such as a short string of beads you can make a button tab as follows;

Button tab

With 6mm hook ch 4.

Row 1: 1 dc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 dc in each of next 2 ch, turn, 3 sts.

Row 2-6: Ch 1 (does not count as first st), 1 dc in each st to end, turn.

Row 7: Ch 1 (does not count as first st), 1 dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st, 1 dc in last st, turn.

Row 8: Ch 1 (does not count as first st), 1 dc in next st, 1 dc in chain space, 1 dc in last st. Fasten off and weave in finishing tail.

Use starting tail to stitch tab in place on muff and sew a button on top.

 

Let's celebrate!

February was an incredibly busy month for Woolly Whatsits. Pitcorthie Primary celebrated its 60th anniversary and to mark the occasion the children worked with me to create the most amazing wall hanging.

Each class drew pictures relating to their topic (all were studying some aspect of the 1950s) and then the children chose one picture from each class to be made in felt. We worked together, class by class, to lay out the fibre and to felt the piece and the panels were sewn together to produce a masterpiece that measures 1.1m by 1.2m. Here it is modelled by my minions;

This hanging represents the work of over three hundred children from nursery to primary 7. We had it ready just in time for the school's open day and the children were so excited to see it on display. I hope they're all very proud of themselves, they did an amazing job.

Critters!

The children and I collected a huge bag of shells on holiday last year then promptly forgot all about them when we got home. I dug them out yesterday to see if I could use them for feltmaking and suddenly this wee Critter was sitting on my worktable.

He's so cute that I've decided we're going to make more at the after-school craft club next week. I have loads of coloured fibre scraps here - can't wait to see what the wee ones come up with.

Upcoming workshop - flower corsage

Use merino and silk fibres to hand felt a beautiful double-layered flower. Add a button and a pin (supplied) so you can wear your creation on your jacket or bag, or to display on a cushion.

Suitable for adults, this workshop requires no previous experience of feltmaking. Price covers all materials.

Upcoming workshop - Valentine cards

Suitable for children and adults, these beautiful felt miniatures made from merino and silk can be removed from the cards and kept as a lasting memento. Two workshop times are available and all materials are included to make a unique card. 

Pitcorthie Primary workshop

Today I was in with one of the primary 3 classes at Pitcorthie PS. The children worked really hard to make these beautiful carpets for the doll houses they'll be making as part of their House & Homes topic.

Beginning Crochet Workshop

Woolly Whatsits is running a beginning crochet workshop throughout February. Every Tuesday morning from Feb 4th we'll be learning a new stitch or technique. If you've always wanted to learn or if your skills are a little rusty, this is the perfect way to ease into the craft.

Sessions are £10 each and advanced booking is required as places are limited. There is also a one-off materials fee of £5 to cover 4 x 25g balls of yarn and a 4mm crochet hook. First week and materials fee payable at time of booking and bookings can be made through Miss Pauley's.

Hope to see you there.